'Hey, wait for me.' little giggles erupted. A little girl chasing an older boy at a vast plain full of purple flowers meadow. It most properly summers time as the purple verbena flower blooms everywhere. She was the little girl trying to chase the boy, but how much faster she was she never gets to see his face at all. Or is that someone else memories? The place looks quite familiar but she can't make out where that place is. Camellia not sure how long she has been sleeping. Or where is this unfamiliar room is? A gentle shake on her body awakens her for a start.
"Grandmama? Let me sleep in more." Camellia shakes off the hand that been shaking her body away.
"I think we should just let her sleep in, Shuusei." Emily was worriedly watching at the sleeping Camellia. She has been trying to wake her up since a moment before Shuusei comes into the baby room. "Seems that she is more tired than she looks."
An hour before, she had to leave Camellia behind with the baby since she got a call from Woon Young, the boss. Camellia volunteered to accompany the baby until they return. Lisa was asked to join in the video calls, leaving only Camellia alone.
"Don't worry, Em," Shuu reassured Emily. "I'll get this." Yamato and Daisuke were chatting a moment ago, halted at the doorway. They silently stood there watching. But both with different motives. Yamato looking worriedly at her. Daisuke just leaning on the wall with mischievous smiles on his lips.
"Maybe a little kiss might help boost her to wake up," Daisuke smirked. "I can help with it." Yamato nudges him on the stomach, and he was able to avoid it in time only making Yamato glared at him.
"I think you should wake up now, Sleeping Beauty," Shuu whispered as he leaned closer to her ear. His hot breath touches her skin. "Before this grandmama going to kiss off your lips." The last words made her opened up her eyes and shot up to sitting position. This time, Daisuke can't hide his laughter anymore. He was bending down while holding his stomach down.
"SHHH!..." Everyone shut Daisuke down while Emily rushed to her baby cradle. Daisuke continues with his laughter on the hallway leaving the baby's room.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I fall asleep again," Camellia rub her eyes and stretch out with Shuu already move away from the bed.
"No worries," Emily smiled whispered to her. The baby's noises alerted Camellia that she was not alone had her hurriedly to Emily's side, and luckily the baby went back to sleep. Camellia heaved a relieved sigh. Camellia glanced at her husband only to find him staring at the baby in soft expression. It makes her heart leap a beat. Their eyes meet just making it awkward before she turned away with flushed cheeks. He only wakes her up and it was rather a peculiar feeling to it. Maybe she still not used to the words husband or the feeling of having a sudden husband to her. "Shuu is here to get you to join the dinner. Both of you should go." Emily softly pushed Camellia towards Shuu with a giggle.
Camellia finally aware of her dishevelled clothes, rushed to the powder room to refresh her face from the nap. That was an embarrassing moment to remember. Fall asleep at someone else baby's room. And... and what Shuu said through her ear is not something she wants her husband to do to her either. When Camellia finally left the powder room, only Shuu was waiting alone. For the first time, she felt relieved saw him there.
Camellia followed Shuu silently while the whole time thinking many things. Is this the reason why he came to her workplace? 'I thought he never really care what she did as long she signed the contract marriage. On the way here, his angry expressions when she mentioned the annulment of their wedding.' She wants to enquiry him more, but the voices of children laughing and shouting happily pressed her from doing it. They reached the outer garden that connected to the dining room.
It was beyond words to describe the beauty of the open dining they were having on the garden. Camellia halts at the entrance looking at the exquisite sunset view. She realised the mansion was on the hilltop, making the view more refreshing and calming. The long table set was arranged at the centre of the garden. The garden itself was more like a zen garden with a huge koi pond on the side while the children were running and chasing at each other. Several unfamiliar people were chatting happily and Shuu already walking away from her heading towards the chief cook from the looks of the attire. Camellia saw Lisa waving at her with a smile before she descended the stone stair towards the new friend.
But, something not quite right with all the staring from Yamato's group of friends makes her anxious. Their staring posed dislike towards her. Camellia ignored the stares and continue walking when she felt a slight pulling on her skirt.
"Are you the bride?" A tiny voice reached her ear. Camellia smiled at the little girl, didn't even answer her. She squatted in front of the little girl. "You know, are you Shuusei oniichan's bride?" Camellia nodded at the mentioned of Shuu's name.
"What's your name?" She thought the little girl was a clever one.
"Sui Ren," Another tiny voice from behind replied. Camellia turned to the voice only to find a similar face to the little girl. "Her name is Sui Ren." It belongs to a little boy similar faces as the little girl. Camellia brows knitted in wonder if they are a twin. "I'm Sae Aki. She's my twin sister."
"Oh. I see now. Nice to meet you both." Camellia cheerfully watching their behaviours. Sui Ren extended her arms widely towards her happily.
"Sui Ren wants to give you a hug," Saeki explained.
Camellia was surprised at that and his twin cute gesture, "Come here." She gave Sui Ren a warm hug with a giggle. Something deep inside her touched by these children's warmth. Soon Camellia was surrounded by the other children as well.
"Oh, I see that you're bonding nicely with the children." Lisa came to her rescue. "Alright, children. Let's give the lady some air over here. We going to eat soon. Everyone go wash your hands before we start. Chop! Chop!" Lisa claps her hand, and the children disperse immediately towards the servants who led them away. Camellia stood there watching them lovingly gave her the memory of the children at the Convent. "Aren't they cute?" Camellia nodded to Lisa, totally agreed.
"Camellia, sit here beside me." Emily waved at her to come and sit with her while her husband, Takashi on her other side. Camellia greets Takashi with a simple nod. She takes the empty seat beside Emily as everyone is taking their seats. Shuu was the last person to take his seat. He has taken an empty seat opposite her beside another good looking man with long hair. Somehow he did look familiar. He was a total mess, tired, alone and full of sorrow but yet looks wildly attracting and dangerously handsome. On his hand holding up a tiny porcelain cup which constantly filled up with sake.
"You shouldn't drink anymore, Kuni." Camellia heard Shuusei talking to his friend. "The children are present."
"It's alright Shuusei uncle. I'll look after him." The twin, Sae Aki pull another chair and squeeze it in between Kunihiko and Shuusei.
"Good boy." Shuusei rubs Sae Aki's back affectionately. Soon a maid changed the sake into a warm tea in a teapot in front of Sae Aki. Kunihiko didn't dare to say anything to it. Everyone knew only this clever boy can be stubborn like his mother than his twin sister.
The food was excellent and enjoyable as they finished eating and dessert were soon served. Camellia saw Shuu getting up and headed to out of the dining room. Soon enough, returned with a trolley full of sweet smell dessert cheering up the children. Camellia unconsciously continues to stare at her husband when Daisuke makes fun of her with her staring. She might not know Shuu long enough but he intrigued her. Who are these lovely people? Then, a little girl came to Takashi without any words; Takashi lifted her up and placed her on his lap. She was Sui Ren.
"Oh... Is that your eldest daughter? How old is she?" Camellia asked cheerfully. Luckily the noises lower down her question and only Emily heard it. Emily smiled and shook her head.
"That was my baby sister," Emily answered. "She just turned nine this year." Camellia was left speechless. She blinked at the child. "Camellia, are you free during lunch tomorrow? Let's grab some lunch together tomorrow? Only the two of us." Emily added. Camellia unable to refuse her just nodded her way with a confused face looking between the little girl and Emily then Takashi.
Even Sae Aki and that miserable man beside Shuusei are a mystery.